1. Acknowledging, embracing and developing a positive sense of Aboriginal identity in schools; 2. Acknowledging and embracing Aboriginal leadership in schools and school communities; 3. ‘High expectations’ leadership to ensure ‘high expectations’ classrooms, with ‘high expectations’ teacher / student relationships; 4. Innovative and dynamic school models in complex social and cultural contexts; and 5. Innovative and dynamic school staffing models, especially for community schools.

The Pathways Project draws upon good ideas in education to provide learning opportunities for kids not currently in school, training or work. It is a work in progress and we are exploring ways of working with this philosophy.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

In September, the teaching team was appointed to the new learning program which will commence operating at the Glebe Youth Service from October 19. Caterina di Girolamo is the full time teacher, Paul Drury will be working as a part time teacher (2 days/week), and Jan Flanagan will be assisting Caterina and Paul on a full time basis. All are experienced educators who bring a wide range of skills to the new learning program.In recent weeks the team has attended a three-day workshop run by Big Picture Education, Australia in Shepparton, Victoria. They also met with John Hogan (Big Picture) for three days in Sydney. Ann King and Margaret Wheeler (both former principals) are working with the team as advisors. In the coming weeks, the teaching team will contribute to this blog.

Young people in Glebe who are not in school, training or work...

Have a strong sense of belonging, identity and community. They are talented, looking for ways to learn and work. They are resilient and strong. Their need for more flexible personalised local learning opportunities reflects long term structural injustices and inequities. The difficult circumstances of their young lives need to be taken seriously, without demonising them. They are not disengaged from learning but from schooling.

Innovative curriculum design: examples of guiding principles

Tirkandi Inaburra an Aboriginal community run centre offering Aboriginal boys aged 12-15 a culturally-based residential program aimed at reducing future contact with the criminal justice system by strengthening the boys’ cultural identity, self-esteem and resilience.

Understanding the principles of a new learning program in Glebe

Learning about personalisation: how can we put the learner at the heart of the education system?

Perspectives on relevance and the quest for rigorous student learning: Balancing life to text and text to life

Resources

ruMAD? are you making a difference?A toolkit that enables young people to lead social change and become active citizens. It is focused on values and led by students but benefits the whole community.

Watch Dave Eggers describe how he and others in San Francisco has personally and creatively engaged with local public schools through the tutoring centre known as 826 Valencia.

Sir Ken Robinson, a leading thinker on education, creativity and innovation, who has advised various governments and major global corporations says that most education systems around the world including Australia’s, are still modelled on the needs of the industrial age, were already narrow and are getting narrower. 7.30 report transcript & video